Chapter 234: Golden Lion’s Ambition!!
"Pshh~ Pshh~!"
A ridiculous, air-leaking sort of laugh suddenly interrupted the noisy banquet hall.
A man in a white lab coat bounced toward Golden Lion Shiki's throne with bizarre agility despite his wobbling gait. His enormous afro and spring-loaded stilts made him look more like a circus performer than someone belonging aboard a murderous floating fortress.
Yet no one present dared laugh.
This man was one of Golden Lion's right-hand men—
The scientist, Dr. Indigo.
"Pshh~ Lord Shiki, your drink~"
Indigo spoke in an exaggerated theatrical tone.
The liquid inside the glass swirled strangely, releasing a bizarre mixture of sweetness and sharp chemical bitterness.
"Jihahahaha!!"
The massive cigar clenched between Shiki's teeth trembled with his laughter, ash scattering across his luxurious coat.
His calculating eyes peered through the rising smoke toward the scientist beside him.
"Dr. Indigo…"
"My cute little beasts…"
"…are they ready yet?"
At once, Indigo's spring-loaded body snapped upright.
He saluted dramatically beside his afro, his face twisted into an eager, sycophantic grin while madness flickered deep within his eyes.
"Pshh! Reporting to Lord Shiki! The 'IQ Evolution Serum' experimental organisms—codename: Frenzied Chimera Series—have all entered final deployment phase!"
"They can hardly wait to… pshh! Run wild, hunt, and evolve upon new land!"
"Oh?"
Shiki's grin widened as he rotated the cigar between his teeth.
He took a sip from the strange liquor, allowing the burning sensation to slide down his throat.
The banquet hall became unusually quiet.
Only the creaking of Indigo's spring stilts and the sound of Shiki swallowing echoed faintly.
Several of the forcibly recruited pirate captains exchanged uneasy glances.
They clearly had no idea what "little beasts" or the "IQ Evolution Serum" referred to—
But instinctively sensed danger.
After a moment, Shiki slowly exhaled a thick cloud of smoke as if making a trivial decision.
He casually gestured downward with the hand holding his cigar.
"Then drop them."
His tone was frighteningly indifferent.
"This ancient desert kingdom…"
"…will make a perfect first testing ground."
"JIHYAHAHAHAHA!!!"
Even louder laughter erupted from his chest, piercing through the heavens.
——————
Aboard the Thousand Sunny—
Uta leaned halfway over the railing as the wind tossed her red-and-white hair.
Below, emerald-green floating islands slowly drifted among the clouds.
Mountains and winding rivers stretched across the landscape like a vibrant jewel embedded in blue silk.
"Wooow—"
Her eyes sparkled brightly.
"It's so beautiful!"
Nearby, Robin neatly tied her slightly curled black hair into a ponytail before adjusting the silver-rimmed glasses she had recently started wearing.
Behind the lenses, her calm eyes carefully studied the ancient geographical patterns of the island.
"It truly is remarkable,"
She smiled faintly.
"From an architectural standpoint, Golden Lion clearly has a refined classical taste. This floating island ecosystem has likely remained stable for over a century."
"Hey! You guys!"
An annoyed shout suddenly shattered the peaceful atmosphere.
Nami stood at the entrance to the cabin with both hands on her hips, her orange hair practically blazing like fire.
Her gaze locked onto the opposite side of the deck.
Luffy, Zoro, Sanji, Law, Usopp, Franky, and even Chopper stood lined up together—
All wearing matching black suits, white dress shirts, black ties, and sunglasses gleaming beneath the sunset.
"Are we here for an adventure or a mafia funeral?!"
"Why are all of you suddenly wearing suits?!"
"Because—"
Luffy spun around dramatically, the tail of his black suit fluttering stylishly.
Somehow, he had produced a small round mirror and was carefully inspecting himself.
The fitted suit unexpectedly highlighted the sharpness of his features, while his Straw Hat still rested atop his head in strangely perfect harmony.
Suddenly, he leaned right into Nami's face.
"So cool, right?!"
His sunglasses slid halfway down his nose, revealing those endlessly fiery eyes beneath.
"Tell me honestly, Nami! Isn't this awesome?!"
"Back off already!"
Nami's jade-like cheeks instantly flushed scarlet.
With a mixture of embarrassment and panic, she shoved his face away.
"What?!"
Luffy stumbled backward slightly, his rubber body wobbling naturally.
He scratched his black hair in confusion, tilting his Straw Hat crookedly.
He genuinely couldn't understand why Nami was suddenly upset.
She definitely hadn't acted like this last night.
At that moment, the cabin door gently opened again.
Yamato stepped out.
She had traded her usual white kimono for a black suit nearly identical to Luffy's.
The perfectly tailored fabric accentuated her tall, athletic figure beautifully.
Her silver-white hair flowed down to her waist like moonlight itself.
Wildness and elegance.
Strength and beauty.
Both somehow coexisted perfectly within her.
The deck briefly fell silent.
Then Yamato's crimson eyes instantly found Luffy.
They lit up immediately, shining brighter than the sunset itself.
"Luffy—!!"
She cheered loudly before rushing straight toward him.
THUD.
Luffy grunted softly as she crashed into his chest, though he caught her easily.
Yamato buried her face against his shoulder, breathing in the scent of sunlight, seawater, and freedom lingering around him.
When she looked up again, her eyes shone brilliantly.
"You look AMAZING in this!! Even cooler than back on Onigashima!"
Her praise was completely straightforward and overflowing with excitement as her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Right?!"
Luffy instantly brightened, fully infected by her enthusiasm.
He naturally wrapped an arm around her waist and grinned proudly.
"You really get it, Yamato!!"
The two of them laughed together beneath the sunset like twin stars.
Not far away—
Nami said nothing.
She stood quietly with folded arms while the sea breeze stirred her orange hair.
The earlier embarrassment in her eyes had already faded completely.
Something far more complicated now lingered there instead.
Silently, she watched the two black-clad figures embracing beneath the sunset.
Her lips slowly pressed into a calm, unreadable line.
——————
"Hey, Luffy. We need to talk."
Sanji, Zoro, and Law walked over together.
Sanji lit another cigarette while glancing toward Yamato still clinging to Luffy.
Zoro crossed his arms, his gaze cutting sharply toward the mist-covered islands ahead.
Battle intent practically radiated from him.
Law leaned lazily against the railing, tapping Kikoku's sheath rhythmically with his fingers.
"What is it?"
Luffy turned his head naturally, resting his chin atop Yamato's silver hair while still holding her waist.
Yamato also looked over curiously.
"Leave Golden Lion to us."
Zoro grinned viciously, fierce desire burning in his lone eye.
Sanji exhaled a stream of smoke.
"Me and this Moss Head…"
"…have been stuck for a while now."
He ground his shoe lightly against the deck.
"We need a real whetstone. Something strong enough to push us to the edge of life and death."
Law continued calmly:
"If the so-called 'Flying Pirate' still possesses even seventy or eighty percent of his legendary strength…"
"…then he's the perfect opponent. We need combat at that level."
"Mmm…"
Luffy hummed thoughtfully.
He buried his face briefly into Yamato's soft hair as if gathering processing power.
How strong was Golden Lion?
He honestly didn't know.
Movie scaling was nonsense anyway.
But if…
If the old monster truly still possessed the strength he once had when fighting Roger and Whitebeard…
Luffy weighed the possibilities internally.
Without Gear Fifth—
Zoro, Sanji, Yamato, and Law working together probably wouldn't take very long to beat him.
Yamato shifted slightly in his arms and looked up at him with shining crimson eyes.
"I want to fight too. That's someone who stood alongside Captain Roger."
Luffy looked at the intense desire for growth burning in his companions' eyes.
Then he finally grinned.
"Alright!"
His voice rang out brightly.
"As long as Golden Lion doesn't actually put your lives in danger…"
"…I won't interfere!"
"Besides, there's no way some 'legend in his prime' could really still exist anyway!"
Zoro's grin widened further.
Sanji slowly exhaled his final stream of smoke.
Law's tapping fingers finally stopped.
At the same moment, powerful invisible pressure rose from all three men like unsheathed blades humming beneath the sunset.
Not far away, Nami continued quietly watching everything.
She watched Luffy agree so casually.
Watched the dangerous hunger for strength blazing in the eyes of those three men.
And finally—
Her gaze fell upon Luffy's arm wrapped securely around Yamato's waist.
Softly, she let out a sigh that disappeared into the sea breeze.
"HEY, LUFFY—!! WE'RE ALMOST THERE!!"
Usopp leaned halfway out from the lookout tower, pointing excitedly toward the clouds ahead.
Every conversation, argument, and brewing battle spirit on deck instantly focused forward.
The clouds ahead slowly parted.
At the heart of the floating islands—
A magnificent city revealed itself.
Layer upon layer of emerald mountains surrounded a vast ancient fortress towering among the heavens.
"So that's…"
Chopper's eyes widened in awe as he clung to the railing.
Robin adjusted her glasses and murmured quietly:
"The floating legend…"
"…Sky Palace."
Sanji forgot to flick away his cigarette ash.
Zoro's hand silently rested upon his sword.
A cold smile touched Law's lips.
Yamato straightened from Luffy's embrace, crimson eyes blazing with excitement.
Luffy lowered the brim of his Straw Hat.
The shadow beneath it couldn't hide his rapidly widening grin.
"I see it!!"
His voice cut through the sea wind.
"Prepare to land!!"
The Thousand Sunny's bow lifted slightly, breaking through the final layer of clouds as it sailed fearlessly toward the palace in the sky.
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